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Day: August 28, 2012

Well, just a short time ago, New Jersey pushed the delegate count to where it needed to be for Mitt Romney to now officially be the Republican nominee for POTUS. Gotta admit, I never in a million years thought we’d be in the position we are today – nominating a guy mistrusted by so many in the base, but he’s “our guy” now, and we’ve got to do what we can to help him and Veep nominee Paul Ryan over the finish line come November.

Related to this, I often hear people say that – in today’s so-called “highly partisan” climate – today’s Tea Party would not have accepted Ronald Reagan back in his day, and certainly wouldn’t have worked towards nominating him for President (based on what we know of his time as President now – hindsight being what it is). What do you think? I tend to discount this kind of talk, but I’m interested in hearing the views of my readers on this one.

Another hard-hitting ad by special operations veterans, this time from Special Operations For America (SOFA), headed by former Navy SEAL Ryan Zinke, a Montana state senator.

Did I say “hard hitting?” Make that a gut-punch.

Ben Shapiro at Breitbart spoke with Senator Zinke about why these former special operators have chosen to speak out:

The ad is sure to provoke massive consternation on the left, which has been in a frenzy ever since Special Operations for America launched. The event at which the ad launches, “Defending Our Defenders: A Salute to the United States Military,” will feature a tribute by Congressman Louie Gohmert, former members of SEAL Team Six, Army Rangers, Gold Star parents, and a few surprise guests.

Ryan Zinke, the former Navy SEAL who started the super PAC, spoke exclusively with Breitbart News today. “The ad itself accurately portrays where this President is,” said Zinke. “It accurately portrays his core belief that America should not lead. This president is shaping America to be one of the followers, to relinquish our role as a world leader. I didn’t fight 23 years as a Navy SEAL to watch America bow to anybody.”

(…)

When asked whether it was inappropriate for former SEALs to speak out, as some on the left have alleged, Zinke answered, “If the veterans can’t speak out, who can? I think it’s a duty of every veteran and every citizen to be actively involved in our political process, especially when the president sets out to negotiate away our rights under the Constitution. There have been other veterans — TR, Eisenhower, JFK — they’ve been active in speaking out and shaping the policy and politics of our country. I’m going to stand for what I believe in, and I’m encouraging every veteran and every citizen to do the same. Our country is at a crossroads, and this election is certainly the most important in my lifetime.”

And, as Shapiro notes, for their choice to speak freely as American citizens and veterans, SOFA has been placed on the White House “enemies list.”

Nice way to say “thanks for your service,” isn’t it?

RELATED: An earlier short video from another group of concerned veterans and intelligence operatives, this time on White House leaks.

Looks like the RNC’s trying to get the convention back on track after a one day delay due to Tropical Storm Isaac, which is predicted to make landfall in Louisiana sometime later this evening. Fox News has a partial list of speakers for later today and tonight in Tampa (subject to change, of course), with some of the bigger names scheduled for later in the evening. Here’s the primetime schedule:

It goes without saying that a lot of us are looking forward to hearing Governors Walker, Haley, and Christie speak, as well as Mrs. Romney. Will also be good to hear from former Rep. Artur Davis, considering the pounding he is taking today from the Congressional Black Caucus who – as you probably guessed already –are accusing him of selling out. While all eyes are on Tampa and the Gulf Coast in advance of both the impending storm hit as well the official acceptance of the GOP nomination for President by Mitt Romney later this week, the GOP hopes Chris Christie will revive the somewhat dampened spirits around the convention and America with a rousing speech that will get both delegates and other GOP voters united and behind Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan:

TAMPA, Fla. – Republicans are counting on New Jersey’s tough-talking governor to, at least for a night, replace Tropical Storm Isaac on Americans’ radars with his own brand of gusty rhetoric.

With Chris Christie set to deliver the Republican National Convention keynote late Tuesday night, it’s up to him to revive the storm-delayed affair. He’ll have to be delicate — not exactly his strong suit — but the party is also relying on Christie to serve up a rousing speech that will demand national attention and rally voters around soon-to-be-nominee Mitt Romney.

The GOP governor reportedly has been crafting and rehearsing a “very direct” speech for Tuesday night in Tampa that will relate “hard truths” about the state of the country. The governor has been making the rounds in Tampa already, with casual talks to various delegations in advance of his keynote address.

Storm or no storm, there is little doubt that the no-nonsense Christie can be direct. A bigger question among Republicans is whether what works in New Jersey can be employed to the same effect in making the case for the party’s presidential candidate.

John Brabender, a longtime strategist for former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum, expects Christie will come out swinging.

Brabender also said Christie, Romney and the rest of the Republican Party know it’s the governor’s job to “get people fired up.”

“He’s our cheerleader,” Brabender continued. “And he won’t be shy about making the case that Barack Obama didn’t make the decisions he needed to. This will be a pay-per-view event.”

Can’t wait.

Not sure if the major nets will carry any of tonight’s speeches but of course you can catch them on C-SPAN – and there is a YouTube link for the RNC convention as well that carries events of the day live.